Change over Time in Learners' Mindsets about Learning a Foreign Language

Abstract

Inspired by the recent avenues for longitudinal research in second language acquisition (SLA), in this study we aimed to trace changes in language mindsets over time via a curve of factors model. The data were collected from 437 adult English as a foreign language learners' response to the Language Mindsets Index in four time points. The model fit was accepted and the invariance of the latent factor was attested over time. The findings indicated a negative covariance between the initial level language mindsets and the growth level of the construct. This finding implies that learners with a highly initial level of language mindsets experienced less change in the construct over time and those with a lower level of the construct changed their mindsets more over time. Pedagogical implications of the findings such as language teachers' consideration of growth language mindsets interventions are discussed.